The sexually transmitted disease syphilis is increasing around the world, what are the symptoms?
The sexually transmitted disease syphilis is increasing worldwide. Syphilis is one of the oldest sexually transmitted diseases in the world. Its prevalence was once thought to have declined. But now the disease is increasing at an alarming rate. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that the syphilis epidemic shows no signs of abating. And the CDC is pointing to some "alarming" new trends that may have led to a sudden spike in infections. "Congenital syphilis" is the most common form of syphilis, where a mother transmits the disease to her child during pregnancy. Usually he himself is infected with it from his sexual partner. Infection with this disease can cause stillbirths, infant deaths and lifelong health problems. This incident has alarmed many health experts.
Since it was first recorded in the 1490s, syphilis has been called many names, most of them quite unpleasant: “French disease,” “Neapolitan disease,” “Polish disease,” etc. But one name for syphilis has endured: “the extreme faker.” Syphilis is a master at mimicking other infections, and its early symptoms are easily missed. If not treated on time, the consequences of syphilis can be serious. Tushar, a 33-year-old project officer from Amsterdam, had contracted syphilis twice. He vividly remembers the day when he first received news of the illness through WhatsApp from his then sexual partner. He was really upset, he says. She blamed me for this illness, which is absolutely impossible due to the 'window period'. I found it strange to put the blame on my shoulders and it took some time for her anger to subside. That same week, Tushar was tested for syphilis and started treatment. People mistakenly think that syphilis is a disease that has no cure. People still don't understand what it means to have syphilis antibodies in the body and not have an infection.”
Last April, the latest data on sexually transmitted diseases or STIs was released in the United States. It shows that syphilis infections have increased the most - between 2020 and 2021, syphilis cases increased by 32 percent to the highest number in 70 years.
"15-20 years ago we thought we were close to eliminating syphilis," said Leandro Mena, director of the CDC's Division of Sexually Transmitted Diseases. There is no doubt that we are now seeing an increase in syphilis, at a rate that we have not seen in the last 20 years. Syphilis infections are not only occurring in the United States.
According to the World Health Organization, 71 lakh new cases of syphilis were diagnosed worldwide in 2020. In 2020, syphilis cases in Britain reached their highest level since 1948. Sexual health care providers are witnessing the rise of syphilis firsthand.
Jody Crossman, co-chair of the STI Foundation of Britain, said: "When I first started sexual health nursing in 2005, it was rare to find early-stage syphilis cases, even in inner-city clinics. Now between 2020 and 2021, syphilis infection rates have increased by 8.4 percent. Now most city-based clinics see at least two to three patients appearing for syphilis treatment every day.
What are the symptoms of sexually transmitted disease syphilis?
Syphilis is transmitted by a bacterium called Treponema pallidum. The symptoms of this disease have four stages. In the first stage, a painless sore or rash appears on the female or male genitalia. At this stage an intramuscular dose of penicillin injection is considered the most effective means against infection.
However, if left untreated, syphilis can lead to long-term neurological and cardiovascular disease. In recent decades, most cases of syphilis have occurred among homosexuals, bisexuals, and other men who have sex with men.
Transmission of syphilis from the mother's body to the unborn youngster during pregnancy can have deplorable outcomes: unsuccessful labor, stillbirth or untimely birth, low birth weight, and demise not long after birth.
Isaac Bogoch, an irresistible illness doctor and scientist at the College of Toronto, has seen the syphilis plague spread across the US line from Canada to the US. This pattern is seen in numerous nations of the world. This is extremely stressing on the grounds that syphilis is typically exceptionally simple to treat, and treatment is promptly accessible. Thus, a lot of this is occurring a result of the breakdown in general wellbeing administrations in numerous nations.
Japanese researchers are trying to understand the relationship between dating apps and syphilis in changing people's sexual habits. From the study they concluded that dating app use was “significantly associated with syphilis infection. The use of these apps is increasing the incidence of unsafe sex.
Most health officials say the way to combat syphilis is straightforward: We have drugs to fight it. Although the incidence of antibiotic resistance is increasing, penicillin is still the best treatment. More testing is needed to encourage safer sex practices, more campaigns to remove the social stigma associated with syphilis, as well as increased public awareness of the issue.
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